Hewett Township
Harkness Heights was the first estate to be established in Hewett and is named after Laurie Harkness; a local resident who played a key role in the development of the spectacular hybrid bottlebrush that bears his name.
Light Regional Council and the local community have worked closely together to create a unique Community Facility, which incorporates a large activity hall and community house together with a school and church.
The development of McKinlay Estate commenced in April 2001. The estate was named after "Big" John McKinlay who was born in Scotland in 1819 and who at 17 years of age migrated to Australia. He became a well-established pastoralist in NSW and Victoria and made several excursions between the Darling River, NSW and lake Frome in SA.
In 1861, he organised an expedition to search for and rescue Burke and Wills. Leaving Adelaide on 16 August 1861, he soon learned that he was too late to save anyone from the ill-fated expedition, so he headed toward the Gulf of Carpentaria. Unable to reach the Gulf due to the difficult terrain, he continued to the North Queensland coast and returned to Adelaide by sea. In 1865 he was commissioned to explore the Northern Territory on behalf of the Government and report on the best sites for settlement. Exploring westward through the Territory he reported Anson Bay as most suitable.
McKinlay returned to SA in September 1866 and became a pastoralist near Gawler where he stayed until his death on 31 December 1872.
Hewett offers wonderful opportunities for residents to experience the ultimate in township and country living, and to be involved in creating a friendly community atmosphere.